GPOTD 08.09.2023

[Peen Simmons]

Fans of jazz guitar have no doubt noticed more and more players moving towards smaller, easier to manage guitars, specifically the Fender Telecaster (the brilliant playing and tones of Bill Frisell and Julian Lage are certainly what's behind this "movement").

As much as we love our Telecasters and use/play them regularly, we have to admit there are times when the sound and feel of a great archtop are called for, either for the gig, session, or just purely for the enjoyment of making music on this classic style of guitar. But - and you could hear it coming - but...much like a great dreadnought, the physical stature and string tension of a traditional archtop can make these guitars quite difficult for new or even seasoned players to manage.

Enter Pasadena, MD-based luthier Tim Bram. We've been following Tim's work for a few years and marveling at his concept, design, and execution - and let's face it, these guitars are gorgeous. You've probably gathered what he's up to just based on the pics - it's a Tele shaped, and sized to some degree, archtop. Ie, a smaller, more manageable instrument that's a breeze to play and delivers classic archtop sounds.

"Brilliant! I love the idea of a smaller archtop that captures the vibe and tones but is way easier to play!"

We said the same thing, reached out to Tim, and here we are - our first Bram Tribute Archtop. Simply put? We are thrilled to be representing Tim's work.

The Tribute is exactly what we hoped it would be after looking at (drooling over) pics over the years. The build quality is very high, it's lightweight, the neck is super comfortable, and most importantly for us...it's incredibly musical, beautiful sounding, and really, really fun to play. That's really the whole point, no?

You'll find specs below but let's skip to the good part...how does it sound? We asked our longtime friend and Berklee teacher, Jim Kelly, to come in and take it for a spin. Be sure to watch the video herein!

In excellent condition, and priced with its original hard case.


BODY

STYLE: Archtop
TOP: European Spruce
BODY: Curly Maple
FINISH: Nitrocellulose
COLOR: Amber

HARDWARE

PICKUPS: Kent Armstrong PAF-style
BRIDGE: Ebony
PICKGUARD: Ebony

NECK

NECK: Curly Maple
FINGERBOARD: Ebony
RADIUS: 12"
INLAYS: MoP Half Moon @12th
NUT: 1 11/16" Bone
SCALE LENGTH: 25"

OTHER

SERIAL #38
CASE: Ameritage Hardshell



https://themusicemporium.com/products/tim-bram-tribute-thinline-archtop-38-vintage-amber-used-2022

 

[Motorik]

Not at all interested.

 

[Knox in Box]

Oh Lord God heavenly bimbam yes.

I'm not looking at the price because I already know, but hot damn

 

[Gorgon90]

The wood on the back and sides are prettier to my mind than the front. That said it is a very good looking guitar but not something I have a use for.

 

[Flamencology]

In spite of the minimal inlays, I confess that this instrument is spectacularly unsexy. Like, it might as well have birds and/or moons.

 

[Chicken Man]

I just wrote a paragraph that I lost. The gist was that I hate everything about this, but for some reason I really like the whole picture.

 

[dodgechargerfan]

I like it.

 

[Honkridge]

Maybe not my first choice (sounds somewhat meh in the vid) but I've got no problem with that guitar's looks. Maybe in the hands of another player...

 

[jelloman]

Very pretty...

 

[BB123]

I don't think it would be my style, but it's pretty cool nonetheless.

 

[Gary Blanchard]

I like that a lot, even though the price is ridiculous.

 

[Denverdave]

I have zero need for that guitar, but I still would.

 

[jp_nyc]

It’s gorgeous.

 

[Monson]

I just found out there is more than one opposite of what I'm into.

 

[smurfco]

I think it looks nice and I bet it sounds real good, and the price is high but I was expecting it to be higher.... overall I like it!

 

[DinoMikeSr]

This is one that would end up in “The Yellow Guitar Book” if there was one. I wouldn’t want the book either.

 

[PunkKitty]

I really like this.

 

[Aahzz]

Nah

 

[Dogsinplastic]

I created/"designed" this guitar 30 years ago...as a concept. I was always reading books on how to build guitars, from that book about putting together parts through the book Benedetto published. Fender did a variation not long after with a carved top on a hollowed out back (similar to the original Godin Multiacs)...slightly bigger Tele body.

To be clear, I'm taking ZERO credit for this, but it was an idea I've had in my head for decades and it's popped up a handful or so times ever since. I never developed the skills necessary to execute the design, yet/so seeing it seems like nothing new or innovative. That said, I LOVE this.

 

[Pine Apple Slim]

I love it but it’s not something that I deserve or would buy.
But the whole bit about jazz boxes and dreads being unmanageable is BS. You may not want or like a bigger guitar but it’s no excuse for not being able to play. I’ve seen 90lb 12 year olds that can play circles around me on Martin dred.